Effects of Different Electric Current (DC) Applications on Plant Development In Spinach

Purpose: The study was carried out to reveal the effects of different electric current (DC) applications on plant growth in spinach.

Method: In the research carried out as a pot experiment, different direct electric current (DC) applications (0, 2, 4 and 8 volts) and Matador, Acosta, Revere F1 and Rembrandt F1 spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) varieties were used as plant materials. At the end of the experiment, germination rate and percentage, plant height, root length, stem diameter, number of leaves, leaf area, leaf fresh and dry weights, root fresh and dry weights, chlorophyll amount (SPAD value), lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) and enzyme activities (superoksit dismutaz (SOD), katalaz (CAT) and askorbat peroksidaz (APX)), were determined; and macro-micro nutrient elements in the leaf [phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were analyzed.

Results: Of the DC electrical applications, it was determined that 2 and 4 volt applications generally increased the nutrient content of spinach; and in the variety-electricity interaction, 2 volt application and Rembrandt F1 and Matador varieties came to the fore. It was determined that 8 volt electricity application was prominent in APX and SOD enzyme activities in Rembrandt F1 variety, while 2 volt electrical application was prominent for CAT enzyme activity and in MDA enzyme activities. As a result, it was concluded that electrical applications had positive effects on plant growth and could be used as an alternative for plant growth.

Conclusions and Suggestions: As a result, it was determined that some electrical applications had usually positive effects on some plant growth parameters in some spinach cultivars.